Proposal 'Best Plan'

October 31, 1986

THE REFERENDUM on Tuesday's ballot regarding a downtown parking facility is, in my opinion, a very important one for Winter Park. The city commission has addressed the need for parking again and again, and after many studies and much public discussion is presenting to the citizens the best plan we can devise.

Of first importance is the fact that the proposed facility at Morse Boulevard and New York Avenue is such that in my opinion it will not adversely affect the open appearance of that part of the city. The lower level is designed to be recessed 7 feet below grade; the upper level retaining wall will be 6 1/2-feet above grade. The design provides for natural daylight and air in the lower level. After landscaping, the facility has the potential for being more attractive than the existing parking lots, and should not detract from the overall pleasing appearance of the Central Park area.

The financing plan is based on the premise that 60 percent of the annual cost of the necessary bonds will be borne by the businesses, which stand to gain most. The citizens of Winter Park are asked to agree:

-- To a continuation of the present $128,000 annual cost of the bonds for the two lots, originally issued in 1965.

-- To allow parking fees from the new facility to be used to help pay for it. The remaining annual cost would be borne by the businesses, a majority of which would have to agree to assessments. Once the Nov. 4 referendum is approved, the next step will be to determine if the businesses are willing to be assessed for this project.

While parking fees and the above-mentioned $128,000 would not be available for other city purposes, there would be no ad valorem tax imposed.

In my opinion, Winter Park would benefit greatly by the added parking, which this plan provides. New parking spaces are admittedly costly, but the greater portion of the costs, under the financial plan, would be borne by businesses and that's as it should be. Winter Park residents will benefit from the 239 new spaces which, to put it in perspective, are more than the present parking on all of Park Avenue. It is my recommendation that the citizens of Winter Park approve this referendum on Tuesday.